Couldn't Fight it Anymore

Theo Sulphate · Dec 15, 2015

ColColt said:
For some reason I never could get into auto focus film cameras. I did look hard at the F3 but understand there's been some problems with the LCD due to their aging. It's a good looker for sure.

My understanding is that turned out to be not as big an issue as Nikon thought. Just a data point, but I have two F3/T's bought in the mid-1980's and the LCD's are perfectly clear.

I heard that prolonged very high temperatures may cause the problem.

Mick Fagan · Dec 16, 2015

I came perilously close to purchasing this.

I too dithered for a couple of days, come the second day (Australian days that is) it had gone, now I know where.

Congratulations.

Mick.

TheTrailTog · Dec 16, 2015

She's a beauty, congrats! I've been lusting for another F2 myself ever since missing out on that F2S in the classifieds here a few weeks ago. Pulled the trigger on one from KEH earlier today, which should be here early next week. Looks like we'll both be having a very merry Christmas

ColColt · Dec 16, 2015

I had looked at that one long enough and decided to do it or get off the pot! I needed something else to lust after and it fit ticket. Santa will be a bit early this year and I intend on tearing that box open soon as it gets here-no waiting till Christmas day.

ColColt · Dec 17, 2015

I went out to get the mail about 30 minutes ago and on the way back noticed a box on the front porch...yep, it arrived already! I wasn't expecting it till maybe Monday. It looks as good or better than those photos. I immediately took the batteries out of the F2A since I hadn't gotten any spares yet, and the meter and LED's light right up and seems to be as accurate as the F2A and my recent CLA'd Gossen Luna Pro SBC. It looks like it's seen very minimal service. I can't even see any evidence of film being transported across the guides or the plate. Looks like I've gotten a winner.

If it's half way "purdy" tomorrow I'll run a roll of film through it. It's been raining since yesterday evening but rain or shine tomorrow I'll put it in use. Quite happy so far with this early Christmas present to me.

Terry Christian · Dec 18, 2015

I could nearly hear your squeal of joy over here in Memphis! Congrats. Nikon has made some great cameras, but nothing feels quite as solid as an F2.
Don't shoot your eye out!

flavio81 · Dec 18, 2015

Terry Christian said:
I could nearly hear your squeal of joy over here in Memphis! Congrats. Nikon has made some great cameras, but nothing feels quite as solid as an F2.
Don't shoot your eye out!

The Nikon F feels even more solid!

I'm considering selling my F2AS today. I don't use it that much. I grab the FG whenever i need lightness, and the F whenever I want the solid heft feel.

Terry Christian · Dec 18, 2015

flavio81 said:
The Nikon F feels even more solid!

I'm considering selling my F2AS today. I don't use it that much. I grab the FG whenever i need lightness, and the F whenever I want the solid heft feel.

True about the F, but I can't help but feel the F2 is the perfection of what the F wanted to be.

flavio81 · Dec 18, 2015

Terry Christian said:
True about the F, but I can't help but feel the F2 is the perfection of what the F wanted to be.

Agree

... and the F3 is the corruption of what the F2 used to be.

ColColt · Dec 18, 2015

Don't shoot your eye out!

Wasn't that a great movie? I liked it so well bought myself a DVD. I obviously like the F as I have two chrome and one black model but moving to the F2 is like going from the Biscayne to the Impala. I bought my first F2 around 1980 but had the FTN Photomic prior to that and even still I've taken some of my most memorable and best pictures with it.

frank · Dec 18, 2015

F or F2? Get both!

MartinCrabtree · Dec 18, 2015

So ColColt you finish up a roll yet?

ColColt · Dec 18, 2015

Nope-it's cold as a frog's belly here and I'm on blood thinners so, 35 degrees to me feels like 25. Depending on the weather it may take a couple of 2-3 days to finish a roll but, I'm chomping at the bits to do so.

Sirius Glass · Dec 18, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
It is about time! You wanted it. You needed it! You worked hard enough for it. You will use it. Good you gave into the GAS and ordered it.

Now enjoy it!

ColColt · Dec 18, 2015

Soon as it warms up a tad. I can't take cold weather much at a time...got old too quick!

pbromaghin · Dec 18, 2015

You'll need to change your avatar.

ColColt · Dec 18, 2015

Nah, still have a lot of love for the M2.

Theo Sulphate · Dec 18, 2015

flavio81 said:
... and the F3 is the corruption of what the F2 used to be.

Comparing my F2's with the F3, the F2's with a metering head seem a bit clunky.

The F3 is nice - at least the F3/T's are. Mine have a very solid feel - as if the whole camera were of one mold. The wind lever is smooth, the balance is right, the HP viewfinder is brilliant.

One of my F3/T's has the all-microprism screen: microprisms over the whole field. I love it. The other has an MD-4 drive - wonderful.

frank · Dec 18, 2015

F2 and F3: not better or worse, just different.

ColColt · Dec 18, 2015

I looked at an F2HP some months back. They're a good looking, functional camera...may have to give them a second look but I'm curious who works on them-not Sover.

John_Nikon_F · Dec 19, 2015

Might as well get one. Cheap on the used market.

-J

ColColt · Dec 19, 2015

I finally couldn't take it anymore so loaded up a roll of HP-5 and took me and my dog out for a Saturday afternoon shooting session with the F2AS. It was 45 degrees so I'd get out of the car and shoot a little, get back in, drive and shoot a few more till finally I had gone through the 24 exposure roll. I remember when you could get 12 exposures and wish today that had been what I had for test purposes.

I'll say this, it had been a long time since I had a camera with SPD's for a metering system and was much more use to the needle. I found it hard to center the LED in questionable light as the meter seemed pretty sensitive. At least it's working well. I'm going to develop it later on once the film gets uncurled a bit and see how it went.

ColColt · Dec 20, 2015

I finally got around to developing that roll today and all looks well. I shot it at ASA 250 and developed in HC-110, Dil H for ten minutes at 75 degrees. I've settled on that temperature as I can get it year round.

This was a lone caboose(mint green I might add) I saw on the way home and stopped to take a pic of it.

Caboose by David Fincher, on Flickr

At the cemetery again, orange filter on 35 f2 lens.

HighlandMem01 by David Fincher, on Flickr

Sirius Glass · Dec 20, 2015

Enjoy your new camera!

ColColt · Dec 20, 2015

I am, it's a sweetheart.

Couldn't Fight it Anymore

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